Outside airlines control?

Matt_Grudgings

Having had our flights cancelled in 2014 by Ryanair due to French Air traffic controllers strike, the airline has rejected compensation claims twice as the strike is deemed outside their control (EU reg 261 refers). However, is this worth pursuing via the small claims court on a no win no fee basis via solicitors?

Has anyone has success in this area, or am I wasting my time?

111KAB

Should be on Ryanair thread. If a genuine response from Ryanair then no claim. IF you can get a NWNF to take on (which I doubt) then I suppose there is nothing to loose however from the outset point out to them the response from Ryanair to date otherwise they may bill you later down the line.

Caz3121

try the flight number and date in a couple of the NWNF flight checkers - EUClaim, bottonline...if genuinely due to ATC strike then both should come back and confirm there is no claim and they will not accept the case
...why do you believe the cancellation was due to a different reason? was there not French ATC strike planned on date of travel?

Matt_Grudgings

Thanks for both responses. Very helpful.

We had our flight cancelled due to ATC strike and earliest available alternative offered was Saturday when original flight was Wed am.

Friends travelling same day with Monarch were rerouted and got there later than planned, but at least they got there!

Caz3121

Matt_Grudgings wrote: »

We had our flight cancelled due to ATC strike and earliest available alternative offered was Saturday when original flight was Wed am.

what availability was there on other flights before then between the airports?...was this the next Ryanair flight with availability? any other airlines fly the route?
did you purchase tickets on another airline?
Was the Monarch flight the same departure and arrival airport?